Alaska | PNW | Rivers

UNIFORMS YOU SUPPLY

Any specific questions about what to bring ask your Operations Manager.

CLOTHING

• • Pants (black) — Flat-front dress slacks or chinos with a maximum of 4 pockets (2 front & 2 back); no denim, leggings, or cargo pants.

    • Examples of brands — Dockers, Eddie Bauer, or Prana (women)

  • Belt (black) — Leather with a silver buckle

  • Shoes (black) — Closed-toe, non-slip, scuff-free to spare decks from markings, leather (not suede); no Crocs (except for galley crew), sneakers, or logos. 

    • Examples of durable shoe brands — Dansko, Ecco, Merrell, or anything found at www.shoesforcrews.com

    • DON’T SKIMP ON YOUR FEET — Think about comfort. You will be on your feet a lot.

  • Socks (black) — Bring more than you think you will need.

  • Masks (black) — (Optional) If you bring masks, we recommend you bring a couple.

  • Galley Crew

    • Chef’s coat (black) — to be worn briefly during the “captains’ dinner” and guest disembarkation

    • Chef pants (black) — No denim, leggings, or cargo pants.

    • Knife set – There are house knives onboard, but it is highly recommended that you bring your knife bag and a good pocket knife for opening boxes. There is room in the galley to store your personal knives.

    • Notebook, pens, and Sharpies

OUTDOOR GEAR

• • Rain gear (all crew) (black) – Durable and waterproof rain gear. A jacket is required for all crew and other gear is highly recommended (hats, pants, etc.). This gear must be free from all logos other than the manufacturer’s logo, and must be in good condition. 

  • Insulating layers (black or navy) — Fleece, base layers, vest, etc. Especially important for Deck and Expedition crew who will spend considerable time in the elements.

  • Rain boots (black or brown) — Calf or higher rain boots. Required for Deck and Expedition crew who will spend considerable time in the elements.

    • Examples of brands – Xtratuf, Mucks, Bogs or Grundens

    • How we use our rain boots: The Alaskan Sneaker 

PACKING LIST

• • Soft-sided, collapsible luggage (DO NOT bring hard-sided luggage).

  • There is no time for shopping once you report to the vessel, come prepared with all required (Uniforms You Supply) and recommended items (Packing List).

  • As a professional traveler, you should always have $40 - $50 cash with you.

  • Expedition Crew — Review Welcome Document for required certificates, recommend reading, presentation suggestions, and additional packing materials. 

CLOTHING

• • Undershirts — To wear under your uniform ; quick-dry material is best

    • Short-sleeve shirts can be black, grey or white 

    • Long-sleeve shirts must be black 

  • Underwear — Bring a bunch (at least a week’s worth)

  • Pajamas — You will be sharing crew quarters with other members of the crew, possibly of both genders. Crew quarters can be chilly or warm, depending on their location

  • Street clothes for general labor— Clothes that you do not mind doing manual labor in, including painting, scrubbing, etc.

  • Travel clothes — One change of regular clothing for travel to and from the vessel, and your (limited) time in port

  • Workout clothes — There is limited workout equipment on board which is available to you when not in use by guests. You may wear black workout pants or shorts and your company provided crew t-shirt

  • Engineering & Deck Crew — Durable black work pants for extensive deck and engine room work (not engine rounds or embarkation, disembarkation, etc.). Work pants such as Carhartt's, work boots, and/or coveralls.

FOOTWEAR

• • Hiking boots or shoes — Helpful for all itineraries

  • Rain boots  (black or brown) —  Calf or higher rain boots. Optional for Galley, Hotel, and Engineering crew but you will be outside often in the elements.. 

    • Examples of brands – Xtratuf, Mucks, Bogs or Grundens

    • How we use our rain boots: The Alaskan Sneaker 

  • Water shoes or sandals —  Flip-flops for the shower. 

PERSONAL ITEMS

• • Approved medications — We recommend bringing at least enough for your first rotation. All medications should be declared on your Medical Questionnaires.

  • Entertainment — Laptop, iPad, e-reader, personal DVD player, Bluetooth speaker, or other gadgets for use during break times, with pre-downloaded options. Streaming is not available while onboard.

  • Camera — Including batteries and/or charging mechanism

  • Cell phone – AT&T gets the best service in Alaska although it is very limited. Other providers pretty much do not work unless you are in port. Wi-Fi is available onboard for crew members.

  • Credentials / Certifications for your position including valid drivers’ license or state ID card and passport

  • Sunglasses

  • Toiletries

  • Wristwatch

  • Battery powered alarm clock

ADDITIONAL PACKING: START-UP & YARD

You will be living in small crew quarters, onboard a small vessel, with limited storage for personal possessions. Each vessel has crew laundry facilities available on board or nearby (laundry facilities are available at Fishermen’s Terminal during non-work times if you require laundry services). Please pack accordingly. 

MANUAL LABOR CLOTHES

• • Crew should have 1-2 full sets (Start-Up) or 3-4 full sets (Yard) of clothing that can get dirty and beat up (for use during heavy cleaning and vessel prep). You will wear these items when moving ship’s stores and equipment, painting, varnishing, doing heavy cleaning and other manual tasks.

    • • This should include shirts (long or short-sleeved, T-shirts work fine), durable long pants, and closed-toed shoes. (No open toed shoes are allowed during Start-Up or Yard). Focus on durability, utility, and being in a manual labor work environment 

STREET/TRAVEL CLOTHES: 2 sets

• • Bring at least two sets of regular clothing (ie “street clothes”) for any evening or off-vessel activities (during non-work hours).

    • • Start-Up: You will have several days and nights in port before the ship sails.

      • Yard: You will have several weeks or months in Yard before the ship sails.

  • Insider tip - Most returning crew recommend selecting street clothes that are interchangeable, work in layers, and pack down small. They don’t bring more than 2 sets of street clothes, as space is limited and time for wearing street clothes in-season is nearly non-existent.

Photo Credit: Christian Lloyd